Giving Back

Jon Bon Jovi is opening a new "pay-what-you-can" restaurant, hoping to give low-income families an alternative to unhealthy fast food.

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen opened on Wednesday in Red Bank, New Jersey, near the singer's hometown of Sayreville. After two years of serving meals in various locations, the "community kitchen" has set up a permanent location in a 1,100 sq ft former garage. While customers are welcome to pay for their meals, those who are, er, living on a prayer may instead work as volunteers. "Picture the coolest brasserie in your hometown, that's what this is," Bon Jovi told New York magazine. "It's the hottest-looking restaurant in this town."

Indeed, this is hardly a soup kitchen. The bistro's opening menu includes rainbow beet salad, pork chops with fig and apple chutney, and homemade carrot cake with lemon cream cheese frosting. Everything is "organic, healthy, good-for-you food", Bon Jovi said, but don't expect to find him behind the stove. "I'm an expert at washing dishes, but I can cook less than zero."

"At a time when one in five households are living at or below the poverty level, and at a time when one out of six Americans is food insecure, this is a restaurant whose time has come," Bon Jovi said. "This is a place based on and built on community – by and for the community."
~ Jon Bon Jovi Opens 'Pay What You Can' Restaurant by Sean Michaels ~

How often do we hear of celebrities opening upscale restaurants, fancy boutiques or doing something spectacular simply to promote their upcoming album, movie, book or whatever else? Bon Jovi actually is giving back to his community in a substantive way to help alleviate hunger.

It's hard to imagine that such an establishment would generate a profit...or break even. You never know, though. Maybe this sort of model will sweep the country!

For what it's worth, I applaud the effort. Now, I'll think I'll go to YouTube to listen to some Bon Jovi!